Services provided by adult day care centers
A well-run adult day care center ’ s goals will focus on enriching the participants ’ lives , building upon their skills , knowledge , and unique abilities and strengths . Below are some of the activities that may be available :
• Arts and crafts
• Musical entertainment and sing-a-longs
• Mental stimulation games such as bingo
• Stretching or other gentle exercise
• Discussion groups ( books , films , current events )
• Holiday and birthday celebrations
• Local outings
Some centers offer programs that include children . Besides recreational activities , some adult day care centers provide transportation to and from the center , social services including counseling and support groups for caregivers , and health support services such as blood pressure monitoring and vision screening .
Benefits of adult day care
Almost Family , an adult day care center provider in both the U . S . and Canada , summarizes the benefits of adult day care well : “ Adult day care offers a win / win situation for everyone in the family — not only the client or member who attends the program , but also for the family member who has primary responsibility as caregiver . Adult day care provides a much-needed respite for the caregiver , affording a break from the physical demands and stress of providing round-the-clock care .”
For the participant , an adult day care center ’ s benefits can be extensive :
• A safe , secure environment in which to spend the day
• Enjoyable and educational activities
• Improvement in mental and physical health
• Enhanced or maintained level of independence
• Socialization and peer support
• Nutritious meals and snacks
Is an adult day care center right for my loved one ?
Good candidates for adult day care centers are seniors who :
• Can benefit from the friendship and functional assistance a day care center offers
• May be physically or cognitively challenged but do not require 24-hour supervision
• Are in the early stages of Alzheimer ’ s disease
• Are mobile , with the possible assistance of a cane , walker , or wheelchair
• Are continent ( in most cases )
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South Fayette | Winter 2016 | icmags . com 37